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Which strings for a fretless Precision bass?
- Thread starter Ryan Mohr
- Start date
At twice the price I should hope so!
Fender 9120 ~$20
La Bella 760N ~$40
Good point, if I hadn't found this website I wouldn't be buying La Bellas: Link Removed
Awesome price! I have those on a Washburn XB100 fretless I got off eBay a few years back (wonder how many of those they made?). I just ordered up some of the Fender's for my fretted XB100. I had them on there before but loaned the axe to one of my kids and it came back with roundwounds on it - guess it was too mellow for "modern rock"
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Congratulations on your purchase. I strongly commend your fine taste and judgement!!
In this vein, I have used D'Addario medium half rounds on my fretless P-Bass for the last 28 years. (the same set -- but have 2 more sets for back up for an emergency)
Sound is great for jazz - small and large bands. But I also used it in pop, blues, rock, show bands and C&W. (I worked with it as my only bass for many years)
You might be happy with pressure wound or brite flats, of which I have tried 2 different gauges of each. I liked the half rounds better, and would try them (or medium light) as your second or third set when you are more certain that what you have used isn't what you want.
I have LaBella flats - Jamerson set - 52-110 on a fretted P-bass. Thud. Dark. Great tone but I like more articulation on the fretless.
I don't like tape wounds on anything. A lot of finger drag, large diameter string.
IIRC they were expensive 30 years ago--when I last tried them.
I had been experimenting with the sound of this fretless bass for 6 months before I heard Jaco (March 1st, 1976). I am not a follower of his tone nor directly his style.
For reference, on URB I use Correlli mediums, for favored tone, tension and response.
In this vein, I have used D'Addario medium half rounds on my fretless P-Bass for the last 28 years. (the same set -- but have 2 more sets for back up for an emergency)
Sound is great for jazz - small and large bands. But I also used it in pop, blues, rock, show bands and C&W. (I worked with it as my only bass for many years)
You might be happy with pressure wound or brite flats, of which I have tried 2 different gauges of each. I liked the half rounds better, and would try them (or medium light) as your second or third set when you are more certain that what you have used isn't what you want.
I have LaBella flats - Jamerson set - 52-110 on a fretted P-bass. Thud. Dark. Great tone but I like more articulation on the fretless.
I don't like tape wounds on anything. A lot of finger drag, large diameter string.
IIRC they were expensive 30 years ago--when I last tried them.
I had been experimenting with the sound of this fretless bass for 6 months before I heard Jaco (March 1st, 1976). I am not a follower of his tone nor directly his style.
For reference, on URB I use Correlli mediums, for favored tone, tension and response.
Thanks! I was a little discouraged to buy a fretless P bass, but in the end I am chasing more of a DB tone than to so-called "fretless electric bass" tone which is characterized by lots of mwah and brightness. I want a warmer, woodier tone with less sustain. Maybe I will give flats a try...
